You can do the same-- search for google images of any climber you consider a pro, and see what shoes they are wearing. Looking through half-dozen will get you at least one shot with a good view of the shoes.

But save yourself the trouble. Aside from complete beginner shoes, every brand and model of shoes has been worn by someone who climbs really hard and gets free gear from somewhere (loose definition of a pro).

Hi... see I totally get that the best shoe is the one that fits well and you like. However I live in Houston TX and our access to physical rock climbing shoes is super limited. As far as Evolv goes, in a city of 4.5 million people the only model I can find in any storefront is the Defy.

So I'm just looking for a little guidance before I start spending money to order shoes online. Seeing what pros wear just seemed like a simple way to target a few proven shoes. (But I'm also searching forums, reviews... kinda hitting it from all angles.)

Id assume ordering them means id have to buy them, right? or are you saying they can order shoes for me test? That's my whole dilemma here in Houston.

(Frankly I'm vegan so I'd also like to buy Evolv, which is why my situation is a little different than most here in Houston who can just by 5.10 or La Sportiva which are in more abundance at the rock gyms / REI / Whole Earth . . . But it's looking like to get a good pair Evolv may not be an option.)

Id assume ordering them means id have to buy them, right? or are you saying they can order shoes for me test? That's my whole dilemma here in Houston.

(Frankly I'm vegan so I'd also like to buy Evolv, which is why my situation is a little different than most here in Houston who can just by 5.10 or La Sportiva which are in more abundance at the rock gyms / REI / Whole Earth . . . But it's looking like to get a good pair Evolv may not be an option.)

Thanks again

For about the 18-bazillionth time..... BRAND DOES NOT MATTER!!!

And to some extent, neither does model. The *ONLY* thing that really matters is *FIT*, followed by style (low top, high top, lace vs velcro, etc) which depends on what you want to use them for and personal preference.

About the only place where brand begins to matter is if they use basically the same last across all models. For example, I've never been able to wear 5.10s because I have a high volume but very narrow foot, so I tend to stay away from 5.10s. Generally other brands fit me better. That doesn't mean that perhaps tomorrow 5.10 will produce a shoe that does fit me. What it does mean is that you shouldn't insist on, say, Evolvs because of your man-crush on Sharma or whoever.

Regarding ordering if you're in a locale that lacks retail stores - order from some place that allows returns.

And if you're avoiding certain brands because they use leather or other animal products, well....

I have Defy's. the only Evolv shoe REI sells is Defy. I want a higher performance shoe. I prefer vegan (Evolv). (For the original purpose of this thread that didnt matter but now I'm needing to qualify that)

Like I mentioned before, I'm hitting this from all angles. I've tried on every shoe in Houston and researched so much about shoes. This was just another little piece of the puzzle I was working on. Apparently asking what shoes pros where doesn't go over very well with the rock climbing community. I'm new here, so I'm learning :). In other communities they consider what pros use as evidence of quality.

"And if you're avoiding certain brands because they use leather or other animal products, well.... "

Yup. You got it.

Good to know rock climbers are passionate.

Btw - your description of you problem with 5.10 is similar to my experience with 5.10... Too narrow, especially in the toe-box I think. For example, I've found in a tight pair of 5.10 my big toe will be perfectly straight with even some room, while my other four toes are totally squished. So, can you recommend some shoes that work for you? I'm looking for an all around shoe, or maybe slightly aggressive.

Actually, there are only a few Evolv shoes that are truly vegan--many either have leather uppers or leather linings (synthetic upper but leather foot bed lining--like the shamans). Of their current line, the primes, bandits, defy vtr, and talons are their only vegan shoes.

Unless I'm missing something about Five Ten's linings (which they are less forthcoming about), Five Ten actually has more vegan shoes choices. Pretty much all of their aggressive shoes are synthetic (team, blackwing, dragon, quantum) and most of the anasazi line is synthetic as well (arrowhead, VCS, lace up, verde, blanco). The coyote canvas, stonelands lace up, and galileo are synthetic too.

Ok so humor me... How do you suggest I select a shoe here in Houston with access to only about 5-6 models?

I can't speak for you, what your goals are or where you climb. If it was me, I would try them all on, and wear the pair that fits best. My background is different than yours though. I've climbed for over 30 years and like long gear routes. I currently own @13 pairs of shoes of many makes and configurations. I've spent up to $160 for a pair, as little as $40. What I percieve is that there is little correlation between shoe and the grade I get up except that the grades go down if they don't fit right. Too loose or too painful are the outliers. Note that I think that rubber makes a difference, and avoid Boreal shoes (which can fit some folks real nice) for that reason. C4 and Evolv rubber both climb equally good in my view.

I'm not just making stuff up :). I've been to REI they only have Defys IN HOUSTON. Online they have a few more, yes, but if you click on that "find in store" button and hit Houston you'll see "not available"

For example http://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/storeProductLookup?style=830994&qty=1&colorsize=8309940001&un_jtt_v_sku=

Thanks for your experienced advise. So far the only shoes I've found in Houston that fit me "quite right" are a la Sportiva, which is unfortunately a super aggressive one, and a Scarpa. The Scarpa felt really good actually... Do you have any experience on them and their rubber? (It was the "reflex" model)

if you're done trying to tell me what my local REI down the street from that I visit all the time has in stock... I'd still love to hear your recommendation on shoes that fit you well, since it sounds like you have a similar problem with 5.10 as I do.